01.04.12Lower-Body Hypertrophy DayThe log will look something more like this with notes for each exercise after each lift. Introductions will also probably start including a lot more of "me" in them to keep people entertained and to better utilize my English-based bachelor's degree that's been collecting dust on a shelf since June.

Quote: "There is never enough peanut butter." - My mom

Intro: I worked up a little bit later today than I would have liked – whenever I close at Whole Foods, I like to utilize my mornings in a more productive manner than with my eyes closed. However, I’m slowing coming to realize that my erratic sleeping patterns have more than likely been negatively impacting my ability to make gains. If you couple that with my apprehension to eat big, it’s a wonder my numbers have continuously been going up for the last few weeks. So, I took the extra hour and a half of sleepy time and ran with it. Or, well, you get the idea.

Either way, the extra hour forced me to make a decision: either do both my lower-body hypertrophy and chest/bench hypertrophy exercises and end up rushing through them or go ahead and force myself to turn my 4-day split into a 5-day and maximize my efforts instead of continuing to half-ass them. I opted for the later. No more slamming my bench into my leg-day and therefore burning myself out on one or the other.

So, today was leg day.

And leg day it was.

Work out

Elliptical

5 minutes

Barbell Squat (65-70% of max; speed-work)

3x95 3x100 4x3x105 Notes: While it feels weird not to do at least five reps, my ability to focus on depth was greatly appreciated. The phrase “ass to grass” was my mantra today.

Front Squat

10x75 8x80 Notes: If my grip strength was better, I know I could be doing at least 110 with these. I also noticed that the second set I was going even lower than I usually do on regular squats. I’m looking into ways to improve my grip so that I can really push some weight with these. They might be my new favorite lift.Stiff-Legged Deadlifts

3x75 10x85 10x95 Notes: I was testing the waters with 75lbs since I haven’t done stiff-legged in months. However, those felt like I was lifting absolutely nothing. Even after bumping up to 85 it felt like I could have been going with 100 but I chose to focus on form. The weight will come in time.

Seated Calf Raises

2x10x150

Notes: Like buttah but vegan and stronger.

Incline Leg Press

10x180 9x200 Notes: Even though I wanted 2x12x200, I knew my legs weren’t going to have it and I was going to half-ass the reps. I wanted ankles to ass on these and that’s what I did. Again, the heavier weight will come. I want to earn it.

Seated Leg Curl

5x110 6x100 5x100 6x90 5x80 Notes: These were a struggle today but I knew it’s because of the calf raises and leg presses. These turned more into drop-sets because of that.

Seated Leg Press

2x6x160 Notes: Same as above basically.

Dumbbell Lunges

5x15 5x20 5x25 Notes: Back in October, I was struggling to do these with 15lb dumbbells. Today, 25lbs felt like nothing. The only reason there were so few reps and sets is because every time I increased the weight, it didn’t feel like it was enough. By the time I got to 25lbs, I had to leave the gym or else I would have been late to work. Next time. Next time.

Macros: 33/175/180 (Last day for post NYE damage control macros. Big thanks to Daniel Brown (thespartanwarrior) for showing me how only a couple of days of lowered intake can help decrease the bloat/water weight from celebrating. Amazing dude.)

Just dropping in to say keep up the hard work. I can't believe I missed this log but so many new ones have popped up recently.

vegansludge wrote:Front Squat

10x75 8x80 Notes: If my grip strength was better, I know I could be doing at least 110 with these. I also noticed that the second set I was going even lower than I usually do on regular squats. I’m looking into ways to improve my grip so that I can really push some weight with these. They might be my new favorite lift.

It's way easier to go deeper on a front squat. I don't know what you mean about grip strength all the weight of the bar should be on your shoulders

xChrisZx wrote:I can back Flaxmeal also. I am not using any right now since I am doing a huge cut but when I am not, I throw it on everything.

That PB2 stuff sounds awesome. Will have to get some after this cut.

The only advantage that Nitrofusion has over your TP mix is the added BCAA's and glutamine. Personally I like adding those myself.

Dude, PB2 is actually ideal for a cut: 2 tablespoons is 1.5(f)/5(p)/5(c) with 2g of fiber - so much easier to fit into cutting macros than regular peanut butter. It also comes in chocolate, apparently, if you're into that.

Yeah the nutritional info looks awesome for it.But right now my diet is super clean and has me eating zero nuts, oils or fruits. It sounds awful but it has been pretty easy so far.

vegansludge wrote:01.04.12Lower-Body Hypertrophy DayThe log will look something more like this with notes for each exercise after each lift. Introductions will also probably start including a lot more of "me" in them to keep people entertained and to better utilize my English-based bachelor's degree that's been collecting dust on a shelf since June.

Quote: "There is never enough peanut butter." - My mom

Intro: I worked up a little bit later today than I would have liked – whenever I close at Whole Foods, I like to utilize my mornings in a more productive manner than with my eyes closed. However, I’m slowing coming to realize that my erratic sleeping patterns have more than likely been negatively impacting my ability to make gains. If you couple that with my apprehension to eat big, it’s a wonder my numbers have continuously been going up for the last few weeks. So, I took the extra hour and a half of sleepy time and ran with it. Or, well, you get the idea.

Either way, the extra hour forced me to make a decision: either do both my lower-body hypertrophy and chest/bench hypertrophy exercises and end up rushing through them or go ahead and force myself to turn my 4-day split into a 5-day and maximize my efforts instead of continuing to half-ass them. I opted for the later. No more slamming my bench into my leg-day and therefore burning myself out on one or the other.

So, today was leg day.

And leg day it was.

Work out

Elliptical

5 minutes

Barbell Squat (65-70% of max; speed-work)

3x95 3x100 4x3x105 Notes: While it feels weird not to do at least five reps, my ability to focus on depth was greatly appreciated. The phrase “ass to grass” was my mantra today.

Front Squat

10x75 8x80 Notes: If my grip strength was better, I know I could be doing at least 110 with these. I also noticed that the second set I was going even lower than I usually do on regular squats. I’m looking into ways to improve my grip so that I can really push some weight with these. They might be my new favorite lift.Stiff-Legged Deadlifts

3x75 10x85 10x95 Notes: I was testing the waters with 75lbs since I haven’t done stiff-legged in months. However, those felt like I was lifting absolutely nothing. Even after bumping up to 85 it felt like I could have been going with 100 but I chose to focus on form. The weight will come in time.

Seated Calf Raises

2x10x150

Notes: Like buttah but vegan and stronger.

Incline Leg Press

10x180 9x200 Notes: Even though I wanted 2x12x200, I knew my legs weren’t going to have it and I was going to half-ass the reps. I wanted ankles to ass on these and that’s what I did. Again, the heavier weight will come. I want to earn it.

Seated Leg Curl

5x110 6x100 5x100 6x90 5x80 Notes: These were a struggle today but I knew it’s because of the calf raises and leg presses. These turned more into drop-sets because of that.

Seated Leg Press

2x6x160 Notes: Same as above basically.

Dumbbell Lunges

5x15 5x20 5x25 Notes: Back in October, I was struggling to do these with 15lb dumbbells. Today, 25lbs felt like nothing. The only reason there were so few reps and sets is because every time I increased the weight, it didn’t feel like it was enough. By the time I got to 25lbs, I had to leave the gym or else I would have been late to work. Next time. Next time.

Macros: 33/175/180 (Last day for post NYE damage control macros. Big thanks to Daniel Brown (thespartanwarrior) for showing me how only a couple of days of lowered intake can help decrease the bloat/water weight from celebrating. Amazing dude.)

I suppose grip strength was a poor way to word it - mostly just weak wrists, they start to ache from the positioning and it takes my focus off the lift. Though, that link is definitely going to be put to good use - thank you!

And I'd say "seriously" working out since September. I ran a 5x5 for 11 weeks, did a deload, and then started running the program I'm on now mid-December. Before all of that I was just doing isolation exercises and way too much fucking cardio. Since learned my lesson and caught the "I want to be a powerlifter" bug.

Chris - Do it! It's pretty awesome, though, a bit pricey. I don't know if I'm going to keep it as a dietary staple because of the price/processing, though, especially since I'm trying to put on mass. Ha.

jungle - Nothing at all? Damn. I was considering going a similar route for a while - doing a "clean" bulk and then doing a "dirty" cut later on just to prove naysayers wrong. Maybe I will do that once I clear my fridge of all the Field Roast sausages I have (damn you, work).

John V - No way! I'm a cashier there. If you see me there, come say hi!

01.05.12Chest/Arm Hypertrophy DayWeight: 121-2lbsLast time looking at the scale until 01.19.12.

Quote: “I’m no longer an athlete. I’m a warrior now. There’s a big difference. The athletes are just out to get paid. Warriors stand for something.” – Kenneth Williams

Focus: Explosive power and gripping the bar or dumbbell like my life depends on it.

I think I’ve been fighting the same sinus infection and/or cold for roughly the past month now and today it decided to rear its ugly head yet again. I woke up congested, with a sore throat, and a chill I still haven’t been able to shake just yet. However, as I had today off, I refused to be deterred from hitting the gym despite it not being the optimal conditions to tackle my first strictly arms/chest day so far.

With that said, today was decent. It was exceptional, which I hate, but it wasn’t awful. About midway through the work out was when I finally hit “the zone” so things definitely picked up then but, to be honest, the thing that felt the best was my very first lift. Keeping my focus (noted above) in mind, I was able to literally blast through my six sets like it wasn’t nothing. Form was perfect even though the bar flew up faster than it ever has. Everything after that, though, was a bit down hill, in my opinion.

However, it just means I will have to get my body up to 100% and hit my chest and arms that much harder next time. I might even throw in a rest day tomorrow and hit my shoulders/back on Saturday to give my body some time to rejuvenate. I haven't been sick in over a year and I don't want to get sick now that my goals are coming into focus.

Speaking of goals, today is the first day for my calorie increase and the last day I look at the scale for two weeks. Check out my new macros at the bottom. And, in order to hold myself even more accountable to put on some mass, I took one of those n00dz photos where you're in your skivvies holding the day's newspaper. I don't think I have the guts to post it quite yet but I might do a legitimate before/after once I've been running this "official" version of PHAT for 12 weeks (which would be the end of March). We'll see.

On a more “professional" note, I wrote a response to today’s New York Times article about vegan bodybuilding on my main blog, Vegan Atlas. If anybody’s interested, here's a linkto that as I’d like hear what others that about the article and the still standing attitude regarding vegan strength warriors. Also, the new inclusion of .jpegs from MyFitnessPal account is complementary to my written response.

Song of the Day: "Scream" - Verse

Work out

Elliptical 10 minutes/90 calories

Barbell Bench Press (65-70% of max; speed-work) 3x50 2x3x55 3x60 2x3x65 Notes: Holding the bar like your life depends on it has to be the best advice I’ve received recently. Pairing that with focusing on being more explosive under the bar, these felt better than any sets of bench I’ve had in forever.

Incline Dumbbell Press 8x20 7x20 5x20 Notes: I wanted 25lbs for these today but I couldn’t even get them up to my chest. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t rest long enough in between the bar and these or what. However, the 20s felt a lot lighter this time around than they did during my last work out.

Hammer Curls 8x20 7x20 12x15 Notes: Same thing as with the incline press. After getting caught up in a conversation, I started rushing through sets. There is no reason I had to drop weight on these this week other than not resting enough.

Tricep Extensions (Machine) 2x8x40 12x30 Notes: I tried doing lying tris but my elbows felt like they were going to be torn in two. This has been an issue for me and tricep extensions since I was in high school. However, see Tricep Push Down notes.

Chest Flyes (Machine)

6x60 5x60 8x50 5x50 Notes: Same thing with the elbows. Flyes slay them. I think next week I will try them out with light weight and see how it goes. Using the peck deck makes me feel dirty.

Dumbbell Bicep Curls 2x12x15 Notes: Using the EZ-bar also makes me feel dirty so I will be focusing on dumbbells from now on to ensure that strength gains are equal.

Cable Machine Chest Press 2x12x30 7x40 Notes: I don’t know what you call the machine “officially,” but it’s cable-driven and you chose a weight for each side and perform the chest press. Less bro-y than a regular chest press machine as it requires independent movement from each side as well as focusing on control and form. I can dig it.Tricep Push-Downs with rope attachment 8x50 8x60 Notes: I was testing these out and I love them. I think I will be doing these instead of tricep extensions.

Lateral Pulldowns 8x50 8x60 Notes: Considering adding these to power day, wanted to try them out.

I also did some assisted dips and pull-ups that are exceptionally embarrassing:

Assisted Dips 3x80 5x90 8x90

Assisted Pull-Ups 3x90 4x80 5x90

Macros:60/176/195 or 2024 calories. Boom.

Though, I did have 57 grams of fiber in there, too. However, I’m going to take this one as a win since who knows how long it’s been since I’ve hit over 2,000 calories when there wasn’t alcohol or a celebration involved.

Food n00dz:Nothing noteworthy, visually, as I've been going through my homemade chili for the last couple of days and chili isn't really photogenic. I did have some great PWO-pancakes topped with PB2 and sugar-free syrup, washed down with one of the best shakes I’ve ever made. Maybe I'll post up some pictures once I find my iPhone cable but, to be honest, they're kind of lacking. Pancakes also don't photograph well with an iPhone.

Today was a bit of a flip-flop day for me. Last night I thought I was going to take today off to give my body time to fight off the sinus infection I felt coming on; today at work I most definitely thought I was going to hit the gym since I was feeling 110% better than I did last night. Then, while at work, I was offered to have a few drinks with some co-workers. Luckily, because I thought today was going to be an off day with little activity, I worked my macros out to be high protein, low everything else so there will be no problem fitting in a few drinks at all (I'm currently sitting at 6/130/31 with 12g of fiber).

This is especially true because today, for the first time since November ... I was able to take my bike out. After work it was still about 45 degrees out and I couldn't help it. I know that "cardio" isn't conducive to bulking but there are few things that are better, in my opinion, than going out for a ride at night, listening to good tunes after a long day at work. I only went out for about 35 minutes and it wasn't an intense mash or anything. Mostly it was nice to clear my head and stretch out my legs since I had some serious DOMS today anyway.

1.) I, inadvertently, fasted for 18 hours. I got caught up running errands and, before I knew it, I was having a very late, but exceptionally delicious, PWO shake. It’s nice to slip back into my IF-tendencies occasionally, though, that might be the orange-dreamsicle shake talking four hours later. On that note, Super Green Food is awesome and I’m definitely going to picking up a container of it after tonight’s huge success of mixing it with my vanilla Vega protein. Probably the best way to end a session I felt exceptionally good about.

2.) I was trying on clothes, I saw myself differently than I have before; I was proud of my progress, particularly in my traps/arms. I snapped a few photos, to boot, and I think my numbers reflect the sheer amount of posi-vibes I had going for me today.

3.) I had the entire gym to myself and I lifted without headphones. Normally, I am stickler for listening to a particular type of music and getting in "my zone." However, it was nice to feel like I was "filling up" the gym with my energy instead of just keeping it inside of my head. I never realized how refreshing it could be to, vocally, push yourself. Though I'm glad it's a rare thing since I don't want to get into the habit of talking to myself, or rather swearing at myself, to get those last reps out.

Other than my session itself, today was solid all around. Picked up some “new” (secondhand) “swag” (clothing), enjoyed some sunshine, talked to my mom on the phone a lot, made myself a vegan juicy lucy for dinner, and have been working on some writing since. It was nice to just have a day to myself where I did what wanted, when I wanted, and for how long I wanted. Definitely put me in a good place for lifting and is also helping to through my self-imposed mental block regarding what I wanted to do with my life. All-in-all, today was solid.

Quote: “You’re not going to get fat. You’re going to get big.” – My mom

Dumbbell Upright Row2x10x25 (I could not, for the life of me, get the 30s to come up)12x20

Delt Flys (Machine ... until I realized I could do ...11x509x50

Delt Cable Flys9x3010x209x30

Barbell Shrugs2x12x145

Macros: 55/164/203I’m a little lower on protein than normal which, I know, doesn’t really affect too much since I’m not cutting but it is weird, for me, to see my CHO higher than my PRO. Oh, well. I did end up eating an +700 calorie dinner for the first time in forever. And it felt good. Will do a big food n00dz post tomorrow probably - now it's to "dessert" and watching some Henry Rollins while I work on some writing.